| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Taras Bulba and Other Tales by Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol: was of whom I painted a likeness. It was certainly some diabolical
apparition. I know that the world denies the existence of the Devil,
and therefore I will not speak of him. I will only say that I painted
him with repugnance: I felt no liking for my work, even at the time. I
tried to force myself, and, stifling every emotion in a hard-hearted
way, to be true to nature. I have been informed that this portrait is
passing from hand to hand, and sowing unpleasant impressions,
inspiring artists with feelings of envy, of dark hatred towards their
brethren, with malicious thirst for persecution and oppression. May
the Almighty preserve you from such passions! There is nothing more
terrible.'
Taras Bulba and Other Tales |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe: like these. His very soul bled within him for what seemed to him
the _wrongs_ of the poor suffering thing that lay like a crushed
reed on the boxes; the feeling, living, bleeding, yet immortal
_thing_, which American state law coolly classes with the bundles,
and bales, and boxes, among which she is lying.
[3] Dr. Joel Parker of Philadelphia. [Mrs. Stowe's note.]
Presbyterian clergyman (1799-1873), a friend of the Beecher family.
Mrs. Stowe attempted unsuccessfully to have this identifying note
removed from the stereotype-plate of the first edition.
Tom drew near, and tried to say something; but she only groaned.
Honestly, and with tears running down his own cheeks, he spoke
Uncle Tom's Cabin |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The Europeans by Henry James: He exaggerated her age; she seemed to him an old woman;
it was happy that the Baroness, with all her intelligence,
was incapable of guessing this. But gradually it struck Clifford
that visiting old women might be, if not a natural, at least,
as they say of some articles of diet, an acquired taste.
The Baroness was certainly a very amusing old woman;
she talked to him as no lady--and indeed no gentleman--
had ever talked to him before.
"You should go to Europe and make the tour," she said to him one afternoon.
"Of course, on leaving college you will go."
"I don't want to go," Clifford declared. "I know some fellows who have been
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